Islam in the Former Soviet Union

This 2004-2005 initiative comprised a series of studies examining the past and future role of Islam and Islamic movements in the former Soviet Union. The initiative explored such issues as the impact of modernity and foreign incursions on the evolution of Central Asian Islam, looking particularly at the late 19th century reformist Jadid movement; and the emergence and influence of contemporary Islamic leaders in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, respectively, as well as trends in the development of Islam in Azerbaijan, and the implications for these countries’ socio-political futures.

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The inaugural issue of NBR’s Asia Policy journal (January 2006) features an essay by Eric M. McGlinchey on "Islamic Leaders in Uzbekistan" examining the degree to which Uzbekistan’s Islamic elite are loyal to the Uzbek government.